BOMARC SITE (CHEMICAL SPILL 10 [CS-10] SOURCE AREA)

The Joint Program Office (JPO) has been charged with integrating all environmental programs at the Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR).

A two-hour Neighborhood Workshop on this cleanup site will be held at the Forestdale School in Sandwich on July 22, 1998 at 6:30 p.m. There will be 15 - 20 minute small group sessions on each of the cleanup issues. This will allow technical information to be presented and specific questions answered, while input on the planned actions is taken from those in attendance. For information contact the JPO at 508-968-5824.

History: The Boeing Michigan Aerospace Research Center (BOMARC) was operated between 1960 and 1973 by the United States Air Force (USAF). In 1973 the Air Force closed the facility and it was abandoned until 1978.

At that time part of the site became the Unit Training Equipment Site (UTES) for the Massachusettts Army National Guard (ARNG). Though the remainder of the facility is still mostly abandoned, several buildings and a parking area are in use by the National Guard . The area is fenced off and the fencing was recently repaired.

Environmental Cleanup

The Air Force, the Massachusetts Army National Guard and the National Guard Bureau are working together to conduct cleanup activities at the site. The Air Force is responsible for the cleanup under the Installation Restoration Program (IRP) that relates to the source areas for contamination of the CS-10 plume area. The National Guard is responsible for cleanup of any hazardous materials that do not impact the CS-10 plume.

In 1996 a site survey report was completed for the National Guard that detailed potential contamination areas. Since that time, more sampling has been done by both the Air Force and the Army.

The workshop scheduled for July 22 will address the following cleanup issues:

CLEANUP ISSUES AT THE BOMARC SITE:

1. Asbestos and Lead Paint in Buildings - Most buildings contain some asbestos. The large former power plant contains asbestos and the building has been boarded up pending asbestos removal.
2. PCBs - Old transformers and surrounding soil were sampled and tested negative.
3. Compounds of Concern - A survey of soil sediments, surface water and groundwater has been completed in the main industrial building areas. Surface soils require remediation for solvents, pesticides, metals and other compounds. Options for cleanup will be discussed in a public comment period to be held by the Air Force later this year.
4. Radiation - Though previous tests, including those conducted recently by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, have indicated no radiation is present, the Air Force will conduct a more thorough radiation survey in late July 1998.
5. Inactive Sumps - In the power plant there are three sumps containing unknown liquid and sediment that require testing. These sumps are located under the floor slabs of the building, making access difficult. As part of the design for implementation of the cleanup remedy, the Air Force will sample the contents and surrounding soils to determine if additional cleanup is necessary.

Each of these issues will be discussed at the workshop on July 22. Please plan to attend and address any concerns you may have about this site.

Joint Program Office
Massachusetts Military Reservation
Building 1204
Camp Edwards, MA 02542